Crugnola led the race by more than ten seconds after the morning loop, but in the afternoon loop, the challengers closed in. Romanian Simone Tempestini is only 0.7 seconds behind Crugnola ahead of Sunday’s stages.
“When you think too much, you drive poorly. I was too cautious because there were a lot of stones on the road. However, I avoided a puncture, which was my main goal for this stage. We could certainly drive faster, but I am satisfied with our day. Things look good for the Italian championship,” Crugnola commented.
In third place is French driver Mathieu Franceschi, who is fighting for the ERC series victory. Series leader Hayden Paddon is right behind in fifth place, only three seconds behind Franceschi.
“I think today was really good for us. We have progressed step by step, and the feeling is good. Tomorrow there will be long stages, so we need to check the notes and see what we can do,” Franceschi said.
“I can’t get this car to go any faster at the moment. We are doing everything we can, and we didn’t leave anything on the table today,” Paddon added.
In fourth place is Italy’s Simone Campedelli, who is 2.1 seconds ahead of Paddon. Efren Llarena is in sixth place, and the Spanish driver is only 9.2 seconds behind the leader.
The ERC Rome Rally ends on Sunday, with six special stages remaining.
The standings of ERC Rome after SS7/13:
Sijoitus | Kuljettaja | Talli | Aika |
1. | Andrea Crugnola | Citroen | 57:31.6 |
2. | Simone Tempestini | Skoda | +0.7 |
3. | Mathieu Franceschi | Skoda | +4.9 |
4. | Simone Campedelli | Skoda | +5.8 |
5. | Hayden Paddon | Hyundai | +7.9 |
6. | Efrén Llarena | Skoda | +9.2 |
7. | Boštjan Avbelj | Skoda | +19.8 |
8. | Roberto Dapra | Skoda | +29.8 |
9. | Mads Østberg | Citroen | +33.7 |
10. | Andrea Mabellini | Skoda | +38.4 |
11. | Giandomenico Basso | Toyota | +40.0 |
12. | Simon Wagner | Citroen | +42,5 |